I Returned to Rewrite Her Ending

As Mom snatched the earrings, Stephanie's face fell in dismay. "What are you doing? Irene said these were for me."

Charlie chimed in from the side. "Yeah, Mom, why are you overreacting like this?"

Mom didn't answer. She just kept insisting on putting the earrings on me.

Seeing this, Stephanie collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "Charlie, I haven't even married into your family yet, and your mom is already treating me this harshly. When I do marry in, won't she just bully me? Are you just going to let this happen?"

Charlie looked frustrated at her tears. He grabbed Mom's hand. "It's just a pair of earrings. She agreed to give them to you. Do you really need to humiliate her like this?"

Mom wasn't about to yield. "They're my earrings. I can give them to whoever I want. If you want some, buy your own."

She was clever for her age. With that one line, the focus of the conflict immediately shifted onto me.

I ignored her and shoved the earrings into Stephanie's hands. "If you like them, they're yours. Consider it Mom's apology gift."

Stephanie's hands trembled as she took the earrings, trying them on over and over in the mirror. Just as she was about to wear them, Mom lunged and snatched them back.

Blood gushed down Stephanie's ear in a thin line as it was ripped in the struggle.

Stephanie screamed, clutching her ear.

Mom looked like she was about to check the injury, but then, as if something occurred to her, she stepped back, clutching the earrings tightly.

When Charlie saw the woman he loved hurt so badly, he finally lost control. He grabbed Mom by the collar and slammed her to the ground.

A sickening crack sounded as Mom's ribs broke, yet he continued, kicking her repeatedly.

If I hadn't held him back with all my strength, he might have killed her.

After Mom was taken to the hospital, I sat by her bedside, pretending to calm her down. "Mom, once you're discharged, we'll send the earrings to Stephanie. Consider it an apology. A family should live in harmony, and that is what matters most."

Mom snorted and rolled onto her side, turning her back to me. "You don't understand."

In fact, I didn't. I couldn't understand why, when Stephanie was far prettier than me, Mom insisted on switching with my life.

What hidden secrets could lie behind all of this?